Your pantry is one of those things that need to be organized about twice a year. They hold so much and are used so often by everyone in your house. It’s good to go through and see what you really have in there. And get things put back where they belong.
Pull everything out & sort things into categories, as you would see at a grocery store. Toss food that has gone bad or stale. Donate food that is in good condition, but your family won’t eat, to a food pantry. Finally, wipe down shelves and sweep that floor.
When you put the food back into the pantry, think about how often you use things. Anything you use often needs to be at chest level. I like to call that your A Zone. I recommend that you put the food you use most often, back into the pantry first and so on.
Also, think about what you want the kids to have easy access to or not have access to. The more efficient and natural your system, the easier it is to maintain. Make sure to check expirations dates and put the food that needs to be eaten soonest, in the front.
I also like to use baskets/containers to keep small loose things like seasoning packets, or cake decorating supplies all together.
You’ll probably find some random things tucked in the back of your panty. I often find snacks or cookies that have been hidden for later and then forgotten about. Leave a comment telling us the random thing you found while going through yours.
If you want one-on-one help organizing a space, call me at 208.736.3306 for a free consultation. I’d love to help you on your organizational journey.